Dear John: Not Enough to Write Home About

Movies based on the work of writer Nicholas Sparks are very hit or miss. Though he consistently uses the same cliches in his tragic loves stories, the results aren't quite as consistent. On the one hand, the film versions can be romantic and endearing, like The Notebook, but other times, the formula produces a schlocky dud (sorry, Nights in Rodanthe).

The latest, Dear John, hangs somewhere in the balance. It's not a total miss but it's far from a home run — mainly due to the lack of chemistry between Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried. The two play John and Savannah, a mismatched army man and affluent college girl who share a Summer romance and then keep in touch through letters while John's deployed overseas. It's the kind of movie you have to be a Nicholas Sparks fan to appreciate, but even his biggest supporters won't be satisfied. I'll tell you why when you read more.

It's not Tatum and Seyfried's fault John and Savannah's love story doesn't shake to your core; there may not be a lot of onscreen couples who can convince you that true love can be found in just two weeks. Thus, these are the shortcomings of Dear John: it's an unromantic love story with contrived twists that would be better suited in a Spanish telenovela.

There are a few elements that save the movie from being truly awful. As John's father, Richard Jenkins steals many scenes with his careful, sensitive portrayal of an autistic man who can't connect with his son. Tatum rises to the occasion as well, showing impressive range in his heavier scenes with Jenkins. Though his love scenes with Seyfried never really take off, the father-son relationship is enough to convince me that Tatum wanted his role to show he can act.

The other benefit the movie has is Lasse Hallström's direction. As in his previous films, like The Cider House Rules and What's Eating Gilbert Grape, there's an evocative, brooding atmosphere. It brings some weight to the screenplay, which would otherwise be overwhelmingly cheesy.

But like most Nicholas Sparks films, there's tragedy: For Dear John, it's the movie's inability to romance its audience.

Dear John & The Notebook are the type of films that would be played over and over again after many years. I haven't read the book and I bet it is much better than the film but that's how it always is. If you were looking for something more catchy, you should have gone to see Sci-Fi or an action film. Dear John was executed quite well, simple story line, not overly done like the usual Hollywood drama films. It is so much more realistic and its refreshing to see that it only did not revolve on the love story. The father and son highlights were magnificent. It's a tough role for Tatum but he surprised me. Two thumbs up!

4 years

this movie had me crying from the opening credits, all the way to the very end, when i couldn't control myself and an old lady's husband next to me (who was also sobbing) had to pass me a tissue. a beautiful and touching love story...but not so subtle in it's (successful) attempt to make EVERYONE cry.
keep the tisuses next to you when watching!

4 years

I though the book was MUCH better than the movie.

5 years

The movie wasn't a total bust for me... but it wasn't fantatic either.
I must say I agree with one of the posters above. I found the 'love' story between John (Tatum) and his father the relationship that they would have been better to focus on. I was sincerly moved by their emotional scenes together and Jenkins definitely stole every scene he was a part of.

5 years

Well it must be doing something right... the movie finally took Avatar's #1 spot in the movie theaters. An estimated $32 million! Damn.

yeah, i had no interest to see this in the first place. good to know i'm not missing anything

5 years

Tatum lacks leading man charisma :(

5 years

First, I have to say that Sparks writes sentimental crap. His books are the written equivalent of a Thomas Kinkade painting. Change the record Sparks!
Second, I know this is just a book/movie, but if she really loved him she would have stuck it out. Oh, boohoo your man is deployed. If you actually love your military man you suck it up, because if he's in it so are you. Take it from someone who knows.

I'm not into romantic movies like this one, so I wasn't planing on watching it anyways.

5 years

Even when reading the book I did not really care too much about the story between John and Savannah. What really got my attention (and tears) was the story between John and his father. I think the relationship between the father and the son would have made for a better story/book.